English
From the 10th to 13th of June we will have the opportunity to enjoy the Carnival of Cultures in Berlin. A festival that fills the streets of the German capital, with joy, dancing and debauchery, just as said by those who have experienced one of the best parties of late spring.
Carnival of Cultures was created as a celebration of the immigrant population, roughly about 450,000 inhabitants, of the total population of 3.4 million. They brought new influences to the culture of Berlin. In 1995 the city radically changed due to the fall of the Wall and the unification of East and West Berlin. This resulted in conflicts of intolerance and rejection, probably due to the political and economic crisis. Ethnic groups clashed and a unifying thread between the various Cultures was needed. The concepts of City and diversity, gave life to Workshop of Cultures, which brought together communities from different religions, nationalities, races and cultures in order to unify efforts around a political platform based on cultural diversity and tolerance. The carnival was the unifying thread.
The Carnival was founded in 1996 with the aim of achieving integration through artistic expression, also by means of the creation of hundreds of jobs generated from the organization and activities performed during the two days of the carnival. Since then, the Carnival became the most important festival for migrants from all over the continent who live in Berlin.
European models, mainly Italian and Spanish, inspired the Carnival, although this event has its own idiosyncrasy. Ethnic groups from around the world, gather every year in Berlin to present their arts and expose the splendor of the festival. The original idea that was based on social rebellion has evolved to create a cultural unity.
This year, groups from the Carnival of Barranquilla will come to make a street parade, full of Garabato dances, cumbias and pelengues. Also, groups from the famous Rio carnival will parade with samba rhythm. Theme parties and nightclubs will pay tribute to multiculturalism, with musicians of the artistic mainstream.
The particularity of this carnival is the special interest in creating a culture that respects the environment, through recycling activities on the production of masks, costumes and dolls to decorate caravans. The street party Blücherplatz allows people to taste the world´s best culinary flavors and to appreciate wonderful ethnic costumes from India, Africa or Latin America, in one place.
For more information http://www.karneval-berlin.de/de/
Nancy Guzman
Like every year, the Carnival of Cultures will attract visitors from all over Europe to enjoy the rhythms, music and happiness, so if you´re enjoying your holidays in apartments in Berlin come out the street and get lost between the joyful crowds.
Translated by: Hans
